UH President receives honorary doctorate from Doshisha University

KYOTO -- University of Hawaiʻi President David McClain was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Doshisha University in ceremonies held in Kyoto, Japan on October 25. The presentation in UH's centennial celebrates the University's oldest international relationship, dating back to 1921.

"In this centennial year, I am deeply honored to accept this recognition on behalf of the University of Hawaiʻi community," said McClain. "We greatly value our strong and enduring relationship with Doshisha University, which has made such a difference in the lives of so many faculty and students over the past century."

At the degree conferment, McClain delivered the 31st Neesima Lecture, honoring Doshisha's founder, Joseph Hardy Neesima, entitled "Island Societies and Globalization: Lessons from Hawaiʻi and Japan." Neesima Lecture invitees are recognized for "distinguished service in the fields of academics, arts and society."

On the following day, the UH President was the keynote speaker at a symposium concluding Hawaiʻi Week at Doshisha. The symposium theme was "Doshisha, Hawaiʻi and Japan: The History of An Unknown Japan-U.S. Relationship." He was joined by UH Mānoa Professor Emeritus Paul Hooper and Associate Professor Noriko Asato on the symposium program, which also featured papers by several Doshisha faculty.

In 1921, Doshisha's seventh president, Dr. Tasuku Harada, became the first professor of Japanese Studies at UH. Upon his retirement in 1932, Dr. Harada was presented with an honorary doctorate, only the second honorary degree granted during UH's first 25 years. Faculty and student exchanges have continued over the years; the Center for Japanese Studies at UH Mānoa currently coordinates a student exchange agreement with Doshisha.

President McClain's Neesima Lecture is available online at: http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/op/2007/1025doshishadeg.html.

His symposium keynote address is at:http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/op/2007/1026doshishasym.html.

About Doshisha University

Founded in 1875, Doshisha University is one of the oldest and most prestigious private universities in Japan. More than 25,000 students are currently pursing degrees at Doshisha.For more information, visit www.doshisha.ac.jp/english/.

About the University of Hawaiʻi

Established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Hawaiʻi is the state‘s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls more than 50,000 students from Hawaiʻi, the U.S. mainland, and around the world. For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu.